Speed-indicator for cream-separators.



W. 0. NELSON.

SPEED INDICATOR FOR CREAM SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION miv films. 1915.

Patented NO V. 30, 1915.`

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

invii- :i-l .5;

W 0 NELSON SPEED INDICATOR FoR CREAM sEPARAToRs. y

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. |915.

Ptented Nov. 30, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHET 2- A M. j

W. 0. NELSON. YSPEED INDICATOR FOR CREAM SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION F'ILED FEB. I9. l9l5. 1,162,707. l

Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

47 l U U WILLIAM o. unison, or mnemonic.

swan-INDICATOR non cnam-summons.

c To all whom z'tmay concern.' Y

4 the maintenance 'of the proper speed tosecure economy and eiiiciency`in the operation thereof..

The primary objects ofthe invention are to provide a speed'indicatorforsuch purposes which shall be accu-rate and reliable, simple andinexpensive, notv liable to derangement, one which will not requireadditional effort on the part of the attendant in operating theseparator, and which can be applied at vsmall cost .to all creamseparators as -usually constructed without requiring change oralteration in the mechanism thereof. Y

T o these and other ends, theinvention consists in' certainimprovements, and combinations and arrangements ofv parts, all as willbe hereinafter lmoreI fully described,`th e novell features. beingpointed out particularly'inthe claims vat the end rofthe .speciiication;

Inthe accompanying drawings z-Figure .f 1 is "a perspective view, partlyin section, A

showing a portion of a cream separator equipped with a speed indicatorconstructed in accordance with one .embodiment of thev presentinvention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view', partly in section, of thestructure `shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3- represents a verticalmsectionthrough the speed indicator; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showinganother embodiment of the invention; Figs. 5 and' 6 I representhorizontal and vertical sections 'of the instrument and the adjacentportion ofthe separator, and illustrating in detail. the

` construction of the indicatorv shown in Fig.

v 4; Fig. 7 in a detail perspective view showing another embodimentofthe invention.;

Fig. 8 represents aliorizontal section of afurther embodiment oftheinvention; 9 and 1'0 represent a top plan and a vertical section,respectively, of the instrument l,shown in Fig. 8.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

--Speed of revolution of tery portion of the ra portion of the creamseparator `bowl 1s above a separator.

-alents of those shown in `the vhereinafter described in detail.

Patented New. 3o, 1915.

Application led February 19, 1915. Serial No. 9,377.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in t eseveral views..

In the operation of centrifugal cream separators, 1t is. essential, inorder to secure economy .and efficiency, .to maintain the l I c theseparator bowl at a predetermined fixed oint. For example, 1f the speedof revolutlon of the se arator bowl is below a predetermined polnt, the

cream is not thoroughly or completely -separated from the re atively.heavier or wamilk and,'consequently .Willy-be .carried o with theskimmed milki-.th1 is reducing the I amount of yield of cream,l andif,.on the other hand, the speed'of revolution of the limit,'some of thefat globu es are broken or disintegrated, thus producing a constitu--ent in the cream which is unsuitable for the making of butter.

The present invention lprovides a speed to be revolved at such apredetermined conf stant speed as willfsecure the maximum eiiciency andeconomy in: the operation lof the The invention may be embodied in'differlent forms of devices. in 'carrying the same into effect, severalembodiments of the in- `vention being` shown as Aexamples in the presentinstance. It will therefore be understood that the claims atthe end ofthe specification are intended to cover all equivdrawing and In fthepresent "instance the invention is shown appliedto a .centrifugal creamseparater ofthe usual or well-known type, it embodying a separator bowl1 which is -mounted on the spindle '2 which spindle is connected toappropriate mechanism-for Vrevolving the bowl, and the bowl issurrounded by a casing or housing 3,. this'casingusually' forming acircular wall vwhich is concentric With theaxis of the bowl and formstherewith an annularchamber or passage a.

redetermined `indicator which enables the separator bowl In' the.operation of cream separators of this and similar types, the rotationyof vthe separator bowl at comparatively high speed inv duces the'iiow ofa current of air circularly around the annular space or passage 4-between the bowl and the surrounding casing,

this vHow of air being induced primarily by and the dial vand pointerare covered friction between the body of air in the annula'i` chamberand the exterior surface of thev revolving bowl. According to thepresent invention I utilize this revolving current of air as a mediumwhich, acting upon an appropriate instrument responsive thereto,indicates the speed of revolution of the bowl.

In that embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive, theinstrument comprises a suitable casing 5 which is preferably fastened bysuitable means to the exterior of the casing 3, the instrument having adial 6, a pointer or indicator 7 on the face of the dial, an`appropriate mark 8 with which the pointer is adapted to coperatei anprotected by a. glass or crystal 9. The pointer 7fis fixedI to a pivotor shaft 10 which latter is journaled to rotate freely within thecasing, and a member 11 is iixed to the shaft 10 andis provided on theside next to the -separator .with a plurality of vanes 12. These vanes12 are dpreferably arranged concentrically and ra ially with respect tothe axis or pivot 10 and they project through an opening 13 in thewall-of the-casing 3 into the annular space or passage 4 around whichthe current of air circulates during rotation of the separator bowl. Thevanes 12 are preferably of equal radial length and the different vanesare brought into position to be acted on by the cireulating current ofair as the member 11 rotates about the pivot or shaft 10. A tensionspring 14 is provided to normally hold the pointer at or toward one sideof the index or mark 8, and to exert suilicient resistance to themovement of the pointer toward the index mark. In the constructionshown, means is provided for adjusting the strength of .the spring, oneend of the spring being attached to a pin. 15 on the member 11 at oneside of the pivot or shaft 10, while the oppositev end ofthe spring isattached to a screw 16, the latter extending through the wall of thecasing and having a nut 17 on y its outer end which abuts against theexterior wall of the casing. By turning thenut 17 in the appropriateldirection axial movement is ,imparted to the screw 16, which movementwill serve to increase or diminish the strength of the spring as may'be.required. It is preferable to initially set the instrument by revolvingthe separator bowl at the proper predetermined speed and then adjustingthe spring to bring the-pointer 7 in register with the index mark 8,'andthe attendant in operating the machine will run it so as to keep thepointer in register with the index mark.

In the operation of the separator, the bowl is revolved at comparativelyhigh 1speed in, for example, the direction indicated by the arrow inFig. 2, the frictional contact be` tween the exterior wall ofy the bowland the body of air contained in the annular pas-v 4ate to the velocityof the current of air and .in consequence is proportionate to` the speedThis of revolution of the separator` bowl. pressure on the vanes 12 actsin4 opposition to the resistance offered by the spring 14 to move thepointer 7 toward a position 1n register with the index mark 8, theextent of movementof the pointer in such direction being proportionateto the speed of revolution of the separator bowl, and when the separatorbowl is driven upto a predeter mined speed, the pointer will registerwith the index mark. B adjusting the instrument so that the polnterFegisters withthe index mark when the separator bowl is driven at themost eiicient and economical speed, the operator by observing the dialof the instrument may maintain the speed of the separator at suchpredetermined point, any tendency to diminish the speed resulting inafmovement of the pointer toward one side of the'index mark, and anytendency toward an increase in speed causing the pointer to move towardthe opposite side of the index mark.

In that embodiment of the ,l invention shown in Figs. 4-6 inclusive, asomewhat dierent form of instrument is shown applied to the same typeofseparator embodying the separator -bowl 1, the surrounding.

casing 3, and the annular chamber lor passage 4 between the bowl andcasing. The

instrument in this instance comprises 'a casing 18 which may beprovided, as shown,

Awitha nipple 19 adapted to be threaded'into an opening 20 formed in thewall 3 of. the casing. The instrument embodies a suitable dial 21, amovable pointer 22, a relatively fixed index mark 23 to coperate withthe fixed to ashaft 25 lwhich is journaled in the casing, and a vane 26is fixed to the shaft or pivot 25, the .vane in this form of theinvention being'cupp'ed or having a pocket or depression 27 the openingin which faces the current of air circulating in the chamber or passage4; This single vane may have either a plane surface, or it may bepocketed or cupped, and may be used in place of the multiplevanes 12shown and described in the preceding embodiment of to aspring 30Which-'is operatively connect? ed to an adjusting screw 31, turningofthe screw varying the strength of the spring 28 as may be required tosecure proper adjustment of the pointer 22. y

In that embodiment of the 4 vinvention shown in Fig. 7, a somewhatdifferent form of indicator is shown appliedlto la separator embodyingthe revoluble separator 'bewl 1, the outer or surrounding casing` 3, andthe intermediate annular chamber "or -passage 4 in which the body'ofaircirculates. In this instance, an indicator 32 is shown which is `of atype wherein the pointer. 33 is responsive to variations in pressure ofa fluid entering the indicator by a tube or conduit 34. For example,this indicator may be of the diaphragm type shown and described in myprior Patent, No. 1,029,938, granted March 24,v 1914. In this instance,the tube `or conduit 34 is connected '.to a member 35 which projectsthrough the wall 3 of the outer casing and is provided with an ope ningwhich facesthe current of air circulating in the annular space orchamber4where- 4by such air current will develop'afpressure at theopening in the member-35 and such pressure willjbe transmitted throughthe column offluid in the tube or conduit 34 to the instrument 32. r1`hemember 35 may be constructed indifferent ways. Iny the present instanceit `'has an vaxial bore, and

the inner end of the member is beveled or .cut diagonally to .provide anopenino 36 which leads tosaid bore'and is subject to thel action of thecurrent'of air revolving within the annular chamberv 4. Preferably,

means isI provided for adjusting the instrument sothat its pointer 33will register with the'vin'dex lmark 37 `when the separator is driven'at the desired predetermined speed.' In the present instance this isaccomplished by threading the member 35 into the wall 3 of the' outercasing whereby it maybe roposition of the opening tated to alter theJ 36therein and thus vary the effectiveness of the actionof the current ofair thereon. The

member 35 is secured in the'proper adjusted position by a lock nut orother suitable device' 38,-and in the construction shown, this lock nutand member .35 serve to secure in.

position a bracket 39'which-supports the instrument 32 on the exteriorofthe outer casthe pointer 22 towhich it is connected is constructionshown,

ing 3. It is obvious, however, that the instrument 32 can be placed atany'desired polnt removed from the separator,vit being only necessary toextend the tube or conduit 34 from the separator to the indicator..

In the construction inclusive, another form of indicator is shown inconnection with a separator having the vrevoluble bowl 1, the outerstationary casingin this yinstance upon the vanes 46 of a member 47 ythemember 47 being preferably circular and provided with a circumferentialseries of equi-distantly spaced and radially arranged vanes which, asthe member 47 revolves, are brought successively into the passhown inFigs. 8-1'04 sage 4 to be acted on by the current of air.

Suitable means is interposed between the member 47 and the pointer 42 tosecure the appropriate' degree of movement of the pointer according tothe extent of rotation of the member 47 under the iniiuence of thecirculating current of air, and also suitable means is provided forappropriately resisting the movement of the pointer. In the a gearsegment 48 is provided, it being fixed intermediately to a lsupportingpivot 49 and it has at one end an y `lnternal gear 'section 50coperative with a pinion 51 fixed to the shaft 52 of the member 47,while the opposite end of the segment 48 is provided with gear teeth 53which coperate with a pinion 54, the latter being fixed to the pivot orshaft 45 vof the pointer. A'spring 55' is provided and this spring actsto' resist the movement ofthe pointer as well as rotation of the member47 under the influence of the current of air acting on the vanes 46thereof. In the construction shown, a coil spring is provided, one endof which is secured at 56 to the gear segment 48, and the opposite endof the spring is suitably held so as to maintain the spring' underappropriate tension. Inthe present instance, a rotatable plug or bushing57 is threaded or otherwise rotatably itted in the casing 40 and has theopposite end of the spring 55 connected thereto at 58, rotation of theplug or bushing serving to adjust the strength of the spring which actsto oppose rotation of the member 47 and consequent movement of thepointer under theiniiuence of the circulating current of a1r in theannular chamber 4. The spring in this embodiment of the invention isalsoA preferably adjusted to bring the pointer into register with theindex mark 43 whenthe separator is running at the predetermined selectedspeed as in the other embodiments of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of. relatively revolublemembers having radially spaced, smoothsurfaced walls forming an annularspace between them for the circulation of a current sive to the actionof the current of air surrounding the separator bowl for indicating thespeed of revolution of the latter.I

4. The combination with the revoluble.

separator bowl and` theouter casing of a separator, said bowl andca'singforming an annular space between them for the circulation of a currentof air, of an instrument responsive to the action of such current of airto indicate thev speed of revolution of the bowl. Y

5. A device forv indicating the speed of revolution of separatorscomprising a speed indicating element responsive to the action of thecurrentof air circulating between the bowl and its outer casing.

6. A device for indicating the speed of revolution of the separatorvbowl of a separator, comprising a speed indicatin element, and a mediumsubject to the actlon of the body of air circulating between the bowland outer casing of the separator and operative on said indicatingelementfto indildegree of response of such device cate the speed ofrevolution of the bowl in 45 7. In a cream separator, a deviceresponsive to the action-of the current of air surroundin the separatorbowl for indicating the spee of revolution of the bowl and embodying anindicator element, an index mark to coperate therewith, and mean-s foradjusting the device to bring said indicator element and index mark intoa given relation when the separator bowl revolves at a predeterminedspeed.

8. In a cream separator, a device acted on by and responsive to theaction of the current of air surroundin the separator bowl forindicating the spee of revolution ofthe bowl and embodying means forvarying the to such current. i

9. A` device for indicating the speed of revolution of the separatorbowl of a separator, comprising a speed indicating element, and a vaneacted on by the current of air surrounding the bowl and operative onsaid element t'o indicate the speed of the bowl. n

10.V A device for indicating the speed of revolution of the separatorbowl of a separator, comprising a speed indicating element, a vaneactedon by the current of air surrounding'the bowl and operative on saidelement to indicateV the speed of the bowl, and an element acting toresist movement of said vane under the iniuence of said current, saidelement having means for varying such resistance.

, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM O. NELSON. Witnesses:

DAVID C. GREEN,

H. M. BUCK.

